Improvement in printers bodkins



Witnesses;

W. CHESTER.

PRINTERS BODKINS.

Patented March 27,1877.

NJETERS, PHOYO-UTHDGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

[ U TTETE S ATEs PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM oEEsTER, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR To B. HOE & 00., on NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN PRINTERS BODKINS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l 88,777, dated March 27, 1877 application filed I March 7, 1877.

, preliminary description.

These two devices have heretofore been embodied in one instrument, the more common form being that wherein the two devices form opposite ends of a rigid handle.

Constructions adapted to be carried in'the pocket have also been made, in one of which the bodkin is hinged'at one end of a handle,

and the tweezers at the other, While in another the bodkin is hinged to one end of the tweezers, so as to close down between the two arms of the tweezers.

My invention is an improvement upon the latter class and provides a more economical construction.

In its manufacture a blank of the form of Figure l is cut from a sheet of spring metal, preferably steel. It is bifurcated at one end to form the arms a a of the tweezers, and is slit longitudinally at the other end upon the lines b b, to form a spring-tongue, c. The extreme ends of the arms a. a are serrated, to provide nipping-surfaces, and the side of one arm has a curved piece removed, to form the nail-orifice (Z. (See Fig. 2.) Holes 0 e are punched in the end of this blank, for a purpose which will presently appear.

This blank is cut out by dies, and may have the slits b b cut, the holes 0 punched, and the serrations stamped by the same operation. When thus shaped its sides are bent upward on the lines f g, thus bringing its arms a a into planes parallel with each other, and a proper distance apart to receive the bodkinshank z' between them. The bodkin is secured in place by a rivet extending through it and the holes 0 e, and headed down on the outside surfaces of the bodkin sides.

The squared shoulder at of the bodkin rests upon the spring 0, which bears upon it strongly enough to hold the bodkin either swung open for use or doubled down between the arms of the tweezers, the resiliency of the spring permitting the swinging movements of the bodkin while being opened therefrom or closed therein.

By this construction, requiring a small number of parts, the cost of the article is greatly reduced, while the strength of its structure is enhanced, and the utility of each of its com bined implements is maintained.

What, therefore, is claimed is The combined bodkin and tweezers, consisting of a bifurcated and slitted metal plate, bent upon itself to form the tweezer-arms, and a spring, said arms and spring being adapted to receive and maintain the bodkin,

substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my I name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM CHESTER.

Witnesses W.. W. HANNA, Oms. W. CARPENTER. 

